NORMAL - The celebration planned for Sunday at Destihl Restaurant and Brew Works in Normal had a bittersweet beginning.

In February, less than three months after the restaurant opened, staff got some shocking news: Troy Nelson, the site's operating partner, had been diagnosed with an aggressive cancer.

Just a few weeks later, the 40-year-old was gone, leaving behind wife Laurie and their two young children, Charlie and Chloe.

"We knew we wanted to do something for the family," said Jason Bratcher, Destihl's director of operations. "And people from the community kept calling, wanting to do something, too," he said.

As the calls increased, the event broadened. Destihl managers call what's evolved.: "Faith. Hope. Love: An Event for Troy Nelson." The fundraiser is from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Nelson was well-known in Bloomington-Normal. Besides his key role working with cofounders Matt and Lyn Potts to develop the Destihl concept, he'd spent four years running another popular Twin City restaurant: Biaggi's Restaurante Italiano. Nelson's wife, Laurie Nelson, also is part of Destihl management.

"He was more than just an employer. He played the role of father and mentor to everyone on staff. He actually cared about people, wanted to create better lives for people," said Bratcher.

"Anybody who knew Troy knows what kind of person he was," said Anna Ober, another Destihl manager who, like Bratcher, had also worked at Biaggi's with Nelson. "He just was an encouraging person, always working to help people be better by uplifting them," she said. Bratcher said Nelson was giving outside of work too, as a member of Calvary Baptist Church, and as a community member. Bratcher recalled several occasions when Nelson would fill his SUV with top-quality groceries, then head to local food pantries.

On Sunday, the restaurant and brewery will operate as usual. Plus, Destihl opens its patio and begins a weekly Sunday brunch option. The benefit also features indoor and outdoor stages showcasing four different bands; as well as silent and live auctions, and a tree dedication for Nelson. Nearly 200 auction items will be available -from children's toys to local retailers' gift baskets to artists' original works and a stay at a Las Vegas resort. All proceeds, from auctions and food and beer sales go to the family fund. Many Destihl workers also plan to donate their day's earnings, said Bratcher.

On Tuesday donations continued to arrive. Ken Ropp, manager of Ropp Jersey Cheese, arrived to talk about possibly donating cheese from his Normal farm. He said Nelson and the others involved with opening Destihl were a young group, that try to use local products, like his business' cheese curds. "The hard part about it is: Here is a young family," that's lost a husband and father, said Ropp. "We just want to give back."

---

Nelson benefit

What: Faith. Hope. Love. An Event for Troy Nelson Details: A fundraiser to benefit the family of Nelson, a partner with Destihl Restaurant and Brew Works who died in March.

When: Sunday; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. - restaurant and brewery open for dining; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. - brunch; noon to 4 p.m. - silent auction; 2 p.m. - tree dedication ceremony; 4 p.m. - live auction

Music: 12:30 p.m. - Deanna Good Gospel Brunch Band; 2:15 p.m. - Merge; 5 p.m. - TBA; 7:30 p.m. - Acoustic Groove Duo

Where: Destihl, 318 S. Towanda Ave., Normal.

Information: Call (309) 862-2337 or visit www.destihl.com

SOURCE: Anna Ober, manager